A blockbuster crowd of over 88,000 at the MCG on Friday night saw defending champions Geelong again underline their status as the team to beat in 2010 when a dominant second half saw them run to a 36-point win against the highly-fancied Collingwood.Prominent midfielders Dane Swan and Gary Ablett wasted no time getting on the scoreboard, each having a goal on the board within the first three minutes. But the game tightened as both sides moved players back and they would be the only goals for the first half. The second term saw the two sides score three goals apiece, and at the long break the Cats led by 5 points.The Magpies looked in control in the early stages of the third term, Dayne Beams twice getting on the scoreboard to bring his tally to 4 and to put the Magpies 7 points ahead. But from there it was one-way traffic, and the Magpies would not score another goal for the night.The Cats took control. Jimmy Bartel was the driving force, dominating the midfield; but there were plenty of contributors as the Cats regained the initiative with a 5-goal burst to lead by 22 points at the last change. The final term saw the Magpies try to get back into the contest but they could manage only six behinds, while three unanswered goals at the other end saw Geelong run away to a comfortable victory.Gary Ablett and James Kelly accumulated 32 possessions, with Jimmy Bartel and veteran Darren Milburn getting 30. Dayne Beams kicked 4 for the Magpies. It was a convincing second half display, the Cats at their best – and their quest for a third premiership in four seasons is well and truly on track.Geelong 1.3 4.7 9.12 12.14 (86)Collingwood 1.2 4.2 6.8 6.14 (50)Goals : Geelong – C Mooney 3, M Stokes 3, G Ablett, T Hawkins, S Johnson, T Varcoe, J Podsiadly, D Wojcinski. Collingwood – D Beams 4, D Swan, S O'Bree.Best : Geelong – J Bartel, C Enright, J Kelly, C Ling, D Milburn, P Chapman. Collingwood –D Swan, D Beams, H Shaw, N Maxwell, L Ball, S Pendlebury.Injuries : Geelong – Nil. Collingwood – Nil.Reports – Nil. Umpires - Ryan, McBurney, Pannell.Crowd - 88,115 at the MCG.

A spiteful match at Docklands on Saturday afternoon saw Western Bulldogs forward Barry Hall reported; but it was a rare black mark on what was a successful afternoon out for the Bulldogs as they recorded a thumping 70-point win over North Melbourne.Barry Hall and North’s Scott Thompson were both twice reported for hits on each other during the second quarter; while North’s Scott McMahon also found himself in the umpires’ notebook.Around the ground, the first half was relatively competitive. But there were few signs of that on the scoreboard. The Kangaroos wasted chance after chance, while the Bulldogs made every post a winner with amazing accuracy during the first half. Despite both sides having 12 scoring shots in the first half, the Bulldogs held a 45-point lead at the long break and already the contest was as good as decided.The premiership quarter saw the Bulldogs dominate, and by the last change the scoreline read 18 goals to 4 and the margin had become a blowout.Brian Lake was a ball magnet all day, accumulating an amazing 41 possessions. Former Brownlow medallist Adam Cooney with 36 touches and 2 goals and Ryan Hargrace with 34 touches were also key contributors. But it was a solid all-round effort by the Bulldogs, who continue to establish themselves as a key contender for 2010.Western Bulldogs 6.0 11.1 18.4 20.7 (127)North Melbourne 0.5 2.10 4.13 7.15 (57)Goals : Bulldogs – J Hill 4, B Hall 3, A Cooney 2, J Grant 2, J Akermanis, D Giansiracusa, R Griffen, B Hudson, W Minson, B Stack, M Hahn, N Eagleton, L Picken. North Melbourne – A Edwards 2, M Campbell, S McMahon, S Wright, L Thomas, J Ziebell.Best : Bulldogs – B Lake, A Cooney, R Hargrave, M Hahn, N Eagleton, M Boyd. North Melbourne – A Swallow, B Harvey, L Hansen, T Goldstein, J Smith, L Thomas.Injuries : Bulldogs – Nil. North Melbourne – Nil.Reports : Bulldogs – B Hall for wrestling S Thompson in the second quarter, B Hall for engaging in rough conduct against S Thompson in the second quarter. North Melbourne –S Thompson for wrestling B Hall in the second quarter, S Thompson for headbutting B Hall in the second quarter, S McMahon for engaging in rough conduct against L Picken in the fourth quarter.Umpires - Stevic, Kennedy, Kamolins.Crowd - 30,794 at Docklands.

Fremantle hadn’t won in Sydney since 1996, but the Dockers’ 14 year drought in the harbour city came to an end when the Dockers defeated the Swans by 37 points at the SCG on Saturday afternoon.The Dockers’ preparations for the game were disrupted when Michael Johnson was charged with drug possession during the week. Johnson was suspended and took no part in the match. But the Dockers shook off their preparations, playing the trademark football which has taken them from strength to strength in 2010. The first quarter was evenly contested, and the Dockers led by 3 points at the first change. But the Dockers took control in the second term, kicking 6 goals to 2 for the quarter to lead by 32 points at half time.With a handy break at half time, the Dockers tightened the game in the third term and locked the Swans out of the contest. The Swans threw everything at the Fremantle defence in the third term, but could manage only three goals for their effort and made up only 5 points of the deficit. And with the Swans unable to make any serious dent in the half time margin, the Dockers closed out the game with a 3 goals to 1 run in the final quarter.Matthew Pavlich led the way up forward, kicking 3 goals in the second term and setting up several others. David Mundy with 25 touches was Fremantle’s top possession-getter, while Aaron Sandilands continued his season-long domination of the ruck with 35 hit-outs; keeping the Dockers in the top 3. Nick Malceski and Daniel Hannebery worked hard for the Swans, accumulating 28 possessions apiece. But it wasn’t enough to stop the Swans from suffering their third loss on the trot.Fremantle 3.5 9.12 11.14 14.16 (100)Sydney 3.2 5.4 8.5 9.9 (63)Goals : Fremantle - M Pavlich 3, P Hasleby 2, A McPhee 2, K Bradley 2, R Crowley 2, A Sandilands, C Mayne, A Morabito. Sydney – H Playfair 2, D Bradshaw, D Hannebery, B Kirk, N Smith, K Jack, N Malceski, G Rohan.Best : Fremantle – D Mundy, N Fyfe, M Barlow, A McPhee, K Bradley, P Duffield. Sydney –N Malceski, D Hannebery, A Goodes, K Jack, J Bolton, J McVeigh.Injuries : Fremantle – Nil. Sydney – T Kennelly (knee), D Bradshaw (knee).Reports – Nil. Umpires - Donlon, Avon, Jeffery.Crowd - 24,819 at the SCG.

Essendon won their second game on the trot, defeating Richmond by 35 points in the traditional “Dreamtime at the G” match on Saturday night.Racing out of the blocks, the Bombers were unstoppable early, kicking the first seven goals in 20 minutes and the Bombers already held a 41-point lead. Each of those seven goals were kicked by different players, the Bombers finding attacking options everywhere and leaving the Tiger defence in disarray.The game was already won by quarter time, and the remainder of the match was largely an exercise in going through the motions. The margin was 27 points at the first change, 29 at half time and had extended to 41 points by three-quarter time. The Tigers won the last quarter, but never looked a chance to pose any threat whatsoever to the Bombers’ lead.The Bombers spread the goalscoring around, with 14 Essendon players getting on the scoreboard. The Bomber tall men were unstoppable, David Hille and Pat Ryder dominating the rucks and marking contests all evening. For the Tigers, Jack Riewoldt played a lone hand up forward with 6 goals, but received too few opportunities to be a chance to get his side back into the contest. The Bombers find themselves within striking distance of the top 8, and finally building some momentum for their season. But it was another disappointing evening for the Tigers, who remain winless and stuck on the bottom of the ladder.Essendon 7.1 10.6 14.13 19.16 (130)Richmond 2.4 5.7 8.8 14.11 (95)Goals : Essendon – D Hille 3, L Jetta 2, P Ryder 2, D Zaharakis 2, A Davey, S Gumbleton, B Howlett, M Hurley, M McVeigh, S Lonergan, J Melksham, A Monfries, D Myers, B Stanton. Richmond – J Riewoldt 6, A Rance 2, D Astbury, S Edwards, D Martin, R Nahas, B Nason, S Tuck.Best : Essendon – D Hille, P Ryder, J Winderlich, B Prismall, J Watson, B Howlett. Richmond – J Riewoldt, S Tuck, B Deledio, S Cotchin, A Graham, J Webberley.Injuries : Essendon – D Fletcher (back), J Melksham (ankle). Richmond – Nil.Reports – Nil. Umpires - Rosebury, Stewart, Armstrong.Crowd - 64,709 at the MCG.

Melbourne took their home game against Port Adelaide to the Top End, but the Demons had to hang on for dear life against a fast-finishing Power side to take the points.A poor start to the Power saw Melbourne race out of the blocks, the Demons kicking the first four goals of the game before the Power steadied. But the Demons still held an 11-point lead at the first change and maintained the two-goal margin through the second term.The premiership quarter was decisive. The Power struggled to get into the contest, a succession of turnovers costing them dearly, as the Demons pressured and tackled and stopped the Power from getting any coherent form of game plan going. With a run of five goals to one for the quarter, the Demons were leading by 33 points at the last change and seemingly cruising to victory.But in the hot and humid conditions, the Demons were visibly tiring while the Power suddenly found the form that had elude tham all day. Finding plenty of attacking options, the Power kicked 8 goals for the quarter, wiping out the deficit and building a 6-point lead before a Power steadying goal leveled the scores with just minutes to go.The Demons moved the ball forward, where Brad Miller positioned himself to mark and goal, leveling the scores. Another Demon forward move saw Jack Trengove rush a point which gave the Demons the lead. The Power messed up their kick-in, wasting valuable time before finally moving the ball down the ground to their attacking zone. But the siren denied them a chance to set up a scoring shot; the Demons being saved by the bell to record the win that would end their 3-game losing streak. But it was a disappointing loss for the Power, one which could potentially cost them their spot in the top 8.Melbourne 5.2 9.6 14.7 17.9 (111)Port Adelaide 3.3 7.6 8.10 16.14 (110)Goals : Melbourne – B Miller 5, J Bennell 4, B Green 3, J Watts 2, N Jetta, C Sylvia, A Wonaeamirri. Port Adelaide – T Boak 3, C Hitchcock 3, J Davenport 2, J Schulz, C Cornes, D Motlop, D Pearce, S Salopek, D Rodan, B Ebert, J Trengove.Best : Melbourne – N Jetta, B Green, C Sylvia, J McDonald, J Trengove, J Bennell. Port Adelaide – T Boak, K Cornes, C Hitchcock, P Stewart, J Trengove, T Chaplin.Injuries : Melbourne - Spencer (back) replaced in selected side by N Jetta. Port Adelaide – R Gray (back) replaced in selected side by J Nash, J Surjan (hip).Reports : Melbourne – B Moloney for forceful contact on T Logan in the fourth quarter.Umpires - McLaren, Sully, FindlayCrowd - 8,848 at TIO Stadium.

Adelaide broke through for their second win for 2010 when the Crows defeated the out of form Brisbane by 12 points at AAMI Stadium on Sunday afternoon.Kicking with the wind in the first quarter, the Crows made the early front-running, kicking the first five goals of the game and leading by 19 points at the first change. But the Lions then made use of their turn with the wind, cutting the margin back to within a kick at the long break.The wind had died down by the third quarter, a tough no-holds-barred affair in which both sides battled hard for supremacy. The Crows, desperate for a win to kick-start their season after a disastrous opening, battled gamely against a Brisbane side which was determined to snap a 4-game losing streak. Late in the third term, the Lions hit the lead before a late goal to the Crows restored the lead to the home side by a point at the last change.The Lions had four chances to take the lead early in the last quarter, but the shots at goal sailed wide. And the Lions would rue the missed chances, as the Crows would kick the next four goals to put the game out of Brisbane’s reach. Although the Lions would score two goals in time-on, the damage was done and the Crows had made it through for their second win of the season. Although the Crows remain in 15th spot, the gap between them and the teams above has narrowed and the Crows are back in with a chance to make some headway in moving up the ladder. But for the Lions, their fifth loss on the trot sees them drop to 11th, and a season that started promisingly is slipping away.Adelaide 5.3 6.9 9.12 13.15 (93)Brisbane 2.2 6.5 9.11 11.15 (81)Goals : Adelaide – R Douglas 3, P Dangerfield 3, A McLeod 2, T Walker 2, J Porplyzia, K Tippett, J Gunston. Brisbane – B Fevola 5, T Banfield 2, A McGrath 2, D Rich, J Sherman.Best : Adelaide – R Douglas, N Van Berlo, S Goodwin, B Reilly, B Rutten, A McLeod. Brisbane – A McGrath, D Rich, T Banfield, S Black, L Power, J Redden.Injuries : Adelaide – Nil. Brisbane – Nil.Reports – Nil. Umpires - Grun, Nicholls, Meredith.Crowd - 31,517 at AAMI Stadium.

After Hawthorn finally ended their losing run last week, the Hawks took a step towards establishing some momentum to rebuild their season when they upset the inconsistent Carlton by 50 points at Docklands on Sunday afternoon.With Luke Hodge and Sam Mitchell controlling proceedings in a lopsided possession count in the first term, the Hawks made the front-running to lead by 19 points at the first change. And the Blues further unraveled in the second term, losing Chris Johnson, Simon White and Chris Yarran to injury within a few minutes of each other. The Blues could only manage one goal for the quarter, and were looking down the barrel of a 39 point deficit at half time.But Carlton fought back in the third quarter, forcing some anxious moments in the Hawks’ camp. The Blues won the quarter 4 goals to 2, and should have got closer than they did but would regret some wayward finishing in front of goal during the quarter. The margin was cut back to 26 points, but the flow of play during the third term indicated it should have got closer.But having been let off the hook, the Hawks regained the initiative in the final term. With the injury toll affecting their abilitiy to rotate players through the interchange, the Blues were fatigued; while the Hawks were able to put fresh legs on for the last quarter. A run of 5 goals to 1 blew the margin out to 50 points, a welcome return to form for the Hawks and one which leaves them with a chance to salvage something from the season despite their insipid performance before this week. But for the Blues, a chance to move into the top 4 has gone begging; their season continuing to be a roller-coaster of inconsistent form.Hawthorn 5.3 9.8 11.12 16.14 (110)Carlton 2.2 3.5 7.10 8.12 (60)Goals : Hawthorn – L Franklin 5, J Roughead 3, R Hooper 2, M Osborne 2, C Peterson, C Young, L Hodge, J Lewis. Carlton – L Henderson 3, M Robinson 2, A Joseph, M Murphy, S Jacobs.Best : Hawthorn – L Hodge, J Lewis, L Franklin, C Brown, S Mitchell, J Roughead. Carlton – H Scotland, C Judd, S Jacobs, M Murphy, B Thornton, M Robinson.Injuries : Hawthorn – Nil. Carlton – R Houlihan (hamstring) replaced in selected side by J Anderson, C Johnson (wrist), S White (knee), C Yarran (hip).Reports - Nil. Umpires - Wenn, McInerney, Mollison.Crowd - 47,484 at Docklands.

St Kilda ended their 2-game losing streak when the Saints overcame West Coast by 35 points at Subiaco Oval on Sunday. But the Eagles, despite their lowly ladder position, were more than competitive; the final margin flattering the Saints after what for much of the day was a closely-fought contest.The Eagles shut down the St Kilda midfield early, denying their forwards scoring opportunities. The Eagles led by 5 points at quarter time and by 6 points at half time. And when Ben McKinley kicked the first two goals of the third term, bringing his tally for the game to 4, the Eagles held a shock 17-point lead and the scent of an upset was in the air.But that was as far as the Eagles could go, as the Saints stepped up a gear. Lenny Hayes led the way through the midfield, shrugging off a quiet first half to run up 12 possessions in the third term and another 12 in the last to bring his tally to 35 for the game. The Saints would kick 9 of the last 10 goals of the game, taking the lead late in the third term and running away in the last.The Eagles had gone into the match on a 2-game winning streak, and a win here would have not only given them a high-profile scalp but seen them climb further up the ladder to within reach of the top 8. But the chance has gone begging. For the Saints, the second half was a welcome return to form after some recent disappointing performances, and one that sees them consolidate their position in the top 8; a loss would have seen the Saints put into a vulnerable position.St Kilda 1.3 4.6 9.11 13.13 (91)West Coast 2.2 5.6 7.7 8.8 (56)Goals : St Kilda – S Milne 3, A Schneider, B McEvoy 2, J Koschitzke, B Goddard, L Hayes, F Ray, M Gardiner, N Dal Santo. West Coast – B McKinley 4, A Selwood 2, Q Lynch, B Waters.Best : St Kilda – L Hayes, B Goddard, N Dal Santo, L Montagna, R Clarke, S Milne. West Coast – A Selwood, B McKinley, D Cox, M Rosa, M Priddis, B Ebert.Injuries : St Kilda – Nil. West Coast – Nil.Reports – Nil. Umpires - Margetts, Chamberlain, Jennings.Crowd - 36,244 at Subiaco Oval.